Contacting apparatus



Aug, E3, i946. F;L.ME| V1LL 4055594 coNTAcTING APPARATUS Filed April s, 1944 2 sheets-sheet v1 VAVAVAVAVAVAVAV AVAYAVAVAVAVAVA 'AVAVAVAVAVAVAV VAVAVAVAVAVAVA NVENTOR ATTORNE ug. 13, 1946. F, MELViLL u -f 2,405,594

coNTAcTING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 cl2 l C 1 c.

.ATTORNEY Patentedl Aug. 13, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE coN'rAC'rING APPARATUS Francis L.'Me1vii1, New York, N. Y. Application April 3, 1944, Serial No. 529,246 12 claims. (01.261-95) This invention relates to apparatus for the contacting of gases or vapors and liquids. A1- though theinvention has a wide range of utility, it is particularly useful in connection with contacting apparatus such as is employed for .the absorption, cooling, drying, cleansing or humidifying of gases, for the evaporation, cooling or heating of liquids, or for reaction purposes. Such apparatus may, for example, take the form of fractionating towers, scrubbers, cooling towers and the like. In such apparatus, a packing is usually employed for effecting intimate contact between the descending liquid and the ascending gas or vapor.V As used herein and in the claims, the term gas includes vapor within its scope.

The invention provides a new and improved countercurrent gas and liquid contact apparatus in which .the now of liquid downwardly through a treating chamber is effected in regular predetermined symmetrical manner to assure uniform distribution of the liquid throughout the liquid ow areaof the chamber.

The invention provides a novel packing for gas and liquid contacting apparatus which avoids the presence of unequal gas or liquid passages and prevents channeling or segregation of the flowing gas in open spaces and of the liquid along surface areas, with the result that at any cross-section of the packing at right angles to the general direction of countercurrent flow of the liquid and gas, the composition of the liquid and gas is substantially uniform.

The invention also provides a new and improved packing of the general character described, which feeds and spreads out the liquid evenly in a thin lm and in a regular predetermined symmetrical manner as it descends in a treating chamber, so that even distribution of the liquid throughout the iiow area of the chamber is aiforded, which provides the maximum of effective (i. e., wetted) surface area per unit of packing space, offers a minimum of resistance to the passage of the ascending gas, and affords a maximum of intimacy of contact and interaction between liquid and gas, so that equilibrium ""1 between the fluid in either phase immediately adjacent to the inter-face and the main bulk of the uid comprising the phase is rapidly attained.

The invention further provides a packing of the general character described, which comprises a series of simple, comparatively inexpensive elements requiring ylittle or no shaping, and which can be easily and expeditiously assembled.

In operation of the apparatus of the invention, liquid is subdivided into a predetermined .55

2 number'of thin exposed streams which are,r directed downwardly. along substantially uniform zig-Zag courses deviating between diiferent vertical planes. These zig-zag stream courses are relatively disposed to merge with the apices of adjoining stream courses at regularly disposed, equally spaced zones, whereby predetermined groups of adjoining streams merge and are intermixed at these zones, and are then subdivided into a corresponding number of thin streams for subsequent merger with other streams. Due to the deviating course of the streams between different vertical planes, the liquid is uniformly distributed throughout the llow area of the packing.

Packing embodying the invention,- comprises slender packing elements in the form of rods, wires, tubes, flat strips or the like, which are unl'- formly zig-zagged and made to extend generally vertically in the contacting Zone. These elements are arranged in groups in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the elements of each group being disposed in dinerent vertical planes and converging downwardly at equal inclinations towards junctures to form a liquid mixing zone, and diverging downwardly from these points of juncture at equal inclinations to subdivide and redistribute the mixed liquid from said zone. This operation of mixing, subdividing and redistributing the liquid streams is repeated regularly in accordance with a predetermined pattern to assure uniformity in the composition of the liquid and gas throughout the flow area of the packing at any horizontal section thereof.

The invention will be understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary axial vertical section, somewhat diagrammatic, of a gas and liquid contacting device containing a packing embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is transverse section, somewhat diagrammatic, of the contacting device taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a packing element which is employed to form a packing constituting one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View on an enlarged scale, of a triad of packing elements forming one of the constituent groups of a packing of the invention, and shown interconnected in direct contact in accordance with one embodimen-t of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front velevation of a packing which comprises a series of triads of the Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of another form of packing embodying the invention,

the elements being arranged in groups of four, the diierent vertical planes, a, b and c indicated thereon positionally corresponding to the planes a, b and c in the horizontal section of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. rI, the vertical planes, a, 'o `and c indicated thereon positionally corresponding to the planes a, b and c in Fig, 1;`

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of a further form of packing embodying the invention, the elements being arranged in groups of six and three, the vertical planes, a, -b and c indicated thereon positionally corresponding to the planes l a, b and c in the horizontal section of Fig. 1G;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on line iE-I El of Fig. 9, the vertical planes a, b and c indicated thereon positionally corresponding `to the planes a, b and c in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is afragmentary perspective showing a group of Zig-zag packing elements interconnected at -their apices through a core piece in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section, on a larger scale, of the construction of'Fig. 11,'and

Fig. 13 is a vertical section similar to that of Fig. 12, but showing another form of core piece for interconnecting the group elements together at their apices.

Like characters of reference refer to the same or to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the gas and liquid contacting device shown, comprises a vertical `cylindrical column or tower il) containing the packing II of the invention. The gas to be contacted is delivered to the lower portion of the tower I0 below the packing II, and ows upwardly through the packing, while the liquid is fed to the upper portion of the tower above the packing, and ows downwardly through Athe packing and in intimate contact with the ascending gas in the manner to be described. The liquid preferably is delivered to the upper portion of the tower III and over the packing Il in such scattered form as to be spread evenly over or substantially evenly over the top of the packing lI, so that the liquid is distributed substantially uniformly throughout the packing at its upper end. For that purpose, the liquid may be delivered over the packing II in spray form, or it may be delivered by a liquid feed device similar to that shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 536,306, led May 19, 1944, to feed the liquid in predetermined equally spaced fine or thin streams over the packing.

The packing I I is shown occupying the central portion of the tower Il), while the diametrically opposite side chordal sections I2 oi` the tower are left vacant or unpacked. A pair of partition plates I3 on the chordal sides respectively of the packing II prevent ow into or out of the packing through these sides. The unpacked spaces I2 of the tower l'may be sealed either at the bottom or at the top in any manner Well-known in the art to prevent by-pass flow through these spaces. The clearance between the circular peripheral portions of the packing I I and the corresponding wall of the tower I0 may be sealed by any'suitable means, as for example by means of layers I4 of glass wool.

The packing II comprises a series of slender elements I6 (Fig. 3) which may be in the form of wires, tubes, flat strips or the like, and which are shownspecically as solid cylindrical rods. These packing elements IE are identical in crosssectional size, shape and finish, and their surfaces are of such material and finish as to be Vsubstantially wetted by the liquid under normal operating conditions. For that purpose, the packing elements I5 are desirably of a material, such as metal, plastic .or the like, having the necessary .finish to afford the required wetting properties.

Y Although the packing elements it are shown of cylindrical stock, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, they may be Aof any suitable symmetrical cross-sectional shapef-'For example, the surface of theV elements 'may be grooved, iiutedV or otherwise treated rto form a regular pattern thereon.` These surface grooves may extend parallel to the longitudinal axes of the elements I5, 'or may extend helically about the circumferences of the elements.V Such surface grooving of the elements I6 ordinarily Ywill increase the liquid carrying capacity of the elements. Also, instead of using single rods, wires or the like, as far as certain aspects of the `invention are concerned, each of the packing elements I may consist of multiple wires, braided or helically twisted together, or laid side by side.

Each of the packing elements I6 is regularly zig-zagged to form a plurality of alternately arranged apical turn sections I'l interconnected by oblique secticns I8. The 4turn sections I'I prefer ably are straight to permit their effective interconnection into fork groups as will be described, and are of equal length in order to attain symmetry and regularity in the packing arrangement. The intermediate oblique sections I8 are also straight and of equal length, and are equiangular with respect to the turn sections Il. The elements I 6 are respectively uniplanar, and extend generally vertically with alternate turn sections Il' in vertical alignment. 'I'hese packing elements I6 are arranged in groups with the turn sections I'l of the elements in each group brought together to form a liquid mixing Zone at the juncture. Each ugroup comprises at least three elements IS which extend indiierent vertical intersecting planes, and the vertical planes of all the elements of the group are equiangularly spaced. v

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, each group consists of three elements IS joined together at alternate apical turn sections I7 to form liquid mixing zones 2I at their juncture, and extending in Vertical planes 120 apart. The triads 2B so formed are interconnected at their intervening apical turn sections Il, so that each element forms part of, or is common to, two adjoining triads, and the junctures where the adjoining triads are interconnected form liquid mixing zones 2|. As a result of this arrangement, each triad 29 defines a row of open cells 22, which are approximately in the form of right trigonal bipyramids, and which have their vertices or mixing zones 2i in vertical alignment.

The adjoining verticalrows of open cells 22 `are medially staggered to form a. regular predetermined honeycomb pattern, as shown.

The elements I6 are interconnected together at their junctures .2I with their straight turn sections I1 parallel, and with each section II at one juncture in longitudinal contact with the two turn sections I'I on either side thereof at the juncture. The area of contact between the apical turn section of any element and the corresponding apical turn section of its immediate neighbor is substantially the same as the area of contact between the turn section of any other element I6 and its immediate neighbor. The straight turn sections I1 are secured together at a juncture 2|, as for example, by welding, and are longitudinally arranged in horizontal registry, so that all the oblique sections I8 of each group 2G begin to diverge from each other in the same horizontal planes above and below their correspending junctures 2|. The weld or weld metal should be located as high as possible above the plane at which the oblique sections I8 diverge, and in any event should not extend below the lowermost points of contact of the elements of the junctures, to prevent irregularities at the bottom of the junctures which might cause liquid to liow therefrom in the form of droplets or to be distributed unequally. These oblique sections I8 form equal angles with the vertical line about which they are symmetrically grouped.

The openings deiined by the cells 22 and through which the ascending gas passes, are large enough to prevent capillary filming of the downwardly iiowing liquid across the openings, but are as small as possible having regard for the gas and liquid load. The diameter of the elements and the extent of zig-zag oiset will depend upon the character of the liquid being treated and the ratio of liquid to gas volumes. In a specific application, the elements I6 may be about onetenth of an inch in diameter, and may be offset by the zig-zags to an extent equal to about twice their diameter. The drawings show a zig-zag olset greater than twice the diameter of the elements I6 in order to more clearly represent the shape of the open cells 22, but it will be understood that the drawings do not necessarily represent the actual proportions of the elements, and that in practice, the proportions of the elements will vary according to the conditions encountered.

The elements I6 may be made as long as desired. For example, they may be long enough to extend the full height of the packing, or may be of shorter length and vertically aligned in end to end abutment. If the elements i6 are of the shorter length mentioned, they may be arranged so that the joints between vertically aligned elements in one vertical row are staggered in different planes with respect to the joints between the vertically aligned elements in the other rows, thereby forming a packing unit of substantial rigidity with constituent elements I5 inseparably united.

Instead of making the packing into one single indivisible unit, the packing may be made in the form of horizontal layers, each constructed as described, except for the use of shorter elements I6. For example, the elements IS may be all of equal length, and long enough to include two alternate turn sections I1 and one intermediate turn section. A packing layer constructed with elements I6 of such length, will include at least one horizontal row of open adjoining bipyramidal cells 22. In forming the composite packing, these individual layers would be stacked with the elements of superposed layers in end to end registering abutment, so as not to interrupt the continuity and regularity of llow between successive layers.

In the use of the packing of Figs. v1 to 6, the l liquid with which it is desired to contact the as-v cending gases, is delivered to the top section of the packing as previously described, and is divided into a number of predetermined exposed nlm-like streams which flow obliquely downwardly along the elements I6 on regular zig-zag courses in directions generally counter to the direction of flow of the gas. The maximum of liquid surface is thereby exposed to the action of the ascending gases. The liquid stream flowing down a single oblique section I Bof an element I6 in one group 20, merges at a liquid mixing junction zone 2I with the liquid stream iiowing down the other two adjoining oblique sections of the group. Since the three oblique element sections I8 of a group 20 are of equal shape, diameter and surface nish, and converge downwardly with equal inclinations towards their juncture 2|, the liquid streams iiowing along these element sections will have similardimensional and motional characteristics. At the junction 2I, the three liquid streams are thoroughly intermixed, and the resulting mixture is then subdivided and redistributed equally between the three lower oblique sections I8 of the group diverging downwardly with equal inclinations from the junction zone. Each of these lower downwardly diverging oblique sections IE of a group 20, forms part of another group 2i), and converges downwardly towards the two corresponding downwardly converging oblique sections I8 of the latter group and towards juncture with the last-mentioned oblique sections I8. The stream along one element I6 of a group 20 therefore becomes intermixed not only with the other streams of the group, but with all the streams of al1 the other groups. This zig-zag flow, ioinder, subdivision and redistribution of the liquid streams, and their deviation to different vertical planes is regularly repeated, so that the descending liquid is uniformly mixed and distributed throughout the entire flow area of the packing.

If the ow along the different oblique element sections I3 is not equal, the degree of irregularity will tend to become progressively reduced, due to the fact that each section will divide the whole O f the liquid reaching a mixing zone 2| equally with its element partner in that zone. This is particularly important in the upper section of the packing where the liquid feed may not be deposited uniformly over the top of the packing. By the equalizing process described, the distribution of the liquid under these conditions will become uniform in the upper section of the packing. Uniform distribution of the liquid when once at` tained near the top of the packing, will persist to the bottom of said packing. The gas passing upwardly generally countercurrent to the liquid, is subjected to suicient turbulence to cause thorough mixing, thus avoiding the loss of eiiiciency which results when the gas at the liquid-gas interface is not mixed as. rapidly as possible with the main bulk of the gas. and when other purely local conditions within the packing tend to vary the composition of the gas across any section of the tower.

As a result of the packing construction of the invention, the upward velocity of the gas will be substantially the same at any point in any plane at right angles to the general direction of flow. Maximum intimacy of contact and maximum interaction between'liquid and gas is obtained, and equilibriumis rapidly established; between the material in either liquid or vapor phase immediately'adjacent to the interface and the main bulk of the material. comprising the phase.v On any cross-section of the packing atright'angles to the general direction of iiow of the liquid and the gas, the composition of the gas is substantially'the same, and the composition of the liquid in itsV constituent streams is` substantially the same. A comparatively long path of travel ofthe liquid'passing through the packing is provided, so that retention of the liquid` for a period long enough. to assure the necessary saturation or interaction with the gas is assured` In- Figs. Tand 8 is shown another form of packing embodying the invention. In this form, the individual elements IA are constructed as indicated in: connection. with Figs. 3 to 6. These elementsy Ifhowever, instead' of being connected in groupsv of three, are connected in. groups of four, with the elements of each group extending respectively in vertical planes approximately 90 apartand joined together at alternate apical turn sections I'I` to form liquid mixing zones 2!0: at their junctures. The tetrads Za so formed are interconnected at their intervening apical turn sections I l, so that each element I5 forms part of two; adjoining tetrads, and the junctures where the Vadjoining tetrads are interconnected form liquid; mixing zonesA Zia; As a result of this arrangement, each tetrad 28a denes a row of open cells 22a, which are approximately in the form of right tetragonal bipyramids, and which have their vertices 2liv in vertical alignment; Adjoinn ingV vertical rows of open cells 22u are'medially staggered to form a regular predetermined honeycomb pattern, as shown;

The elements I6. are interconnected at their junctures- Ela' with their straight turn sections I'I parallel; and with each turn section Il at one juncture in longitudinal contact with twov turn sections I'I on either side thereof at the juncture. The area of contact between the apical turn sections I'IY of any element I5 and the corresponding apical turn section I'I of its immediate neighbor is substaantially the same as the area of contact between a turn section Il of any other element I6 and that of its immediate neighbor.

The straight turn sections I1 are secured together at a juncture 2 I a, for example by'welding, and are longitudinally arranged in registry as in the construction of Figs. 3 to 6e whereby the oblique sections I8 of each group begin to diverge from each other. in the same horizontal planes above and below their corresponding juncture, and form equal angles with the vertical line about which they are symmetrically grouped. The welds should be located as high as possible above the plane at which the oblique sections I8 diverge, and should not extend below the lowermost points of contact of the elements at the junctures, for the reasons previously mentioned;

The operation of the packing'of Figs. 7 and 8 is similar to that described in connection with the constructions of Figs. 3 to 6.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown another form of packing embodying the invention. In this form of the invention, the individual elements IB are constructed as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. However, each group consists of six elements IS joined together by welding or the like as previously described, at alternate apical turn sections I'I', to form liquid mixing zones 2lb at their junctures, and extending in respective vertical planes ap- 8 proximately 60 apart. The hexads 2011 `so formed; are interconnected Lat their intervening apicalturn sections I'Y'I, byAwelding or the like-as Vpreviously described, so that twofelements' I6. of

one hexad arejoined' at two intervening apical turn sections I'I with two corresponding elements of an adjoining hexad, and each element of a hexad 28h is joined at these intervening apical turn sections I'I with two elements of two vrespective adjoining hexads Zlib.y The junctures where the adjoining hexads 2thl are interconnected, form liquid mixing zones 24, each having three turn sections I'I of three respective elements I6 symmetrically grouped inV contact around a vertical axis. the three adjacent oblique sections IS of these three elements respectively forking upwardly and downwardlyY at equal inclinations from saidv zones, and' from the same starting planes. As a result of the arrangement described, each hexad 20h denes a row of open cellsy 22h- Which are approximately in the form of right hexagonal bipyramids, and which have their' vertices 2lb in vertical alignment'. Adjoining vertical rows of open cells 22h are medially staggeredf'to form a regular predetermined honeycomb pattern, as shown.

The liquid streams. in each hexadf group 20h are merged, thoroughly intermixed and subdivided forredistribution at the mixing zones 2lb, and vare intermixed with thel streams of adjoin` ing groups 2th at theV mixing zones 24 for uniform distribution tothe elements II-v of these adjoining groups.

In the different forms of the inventionv solfar described, the elements IiV of each group are interconnected at their' apical turn sections Il by direct contact of these sections, to form liquid mixing zones at their junctures. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. ll and 12,' the elements. of each group are gathered symmetrically around, and in direct contact with, a core piece 25, and are welded, or otherwiseY rigidly connected to, the core piece to form' a liquid mixe ing zone therewith. As previously mentioned', the welds should be located as high as possible above the plane at which the oblique sections I8 diverge, and in any event should'vnot extend below the lowermost portion of contactv of the elements with the core piece. This core piecel 25 is regular in horizontal cross-section, and must be of such shape that the elements I6 can be attached to it and can be symmetrically disposed about the vertical axis thereof. For that purpose, thev core piece 25 mayv be cylindrical in shape or may be-a fluted cylinder with a number of utes equal to, or a multiple of, the number of elements attached to it; The surface material and nish of each core piece 25 are desirably such that the surface of the core piece is substantially wetted by the Vliquid under operating conditions, andY preferably are the same as that of the elements II.

The corepieces 25 are so arranged with respect to the elementsv I6 at a juncture, that the'liquid passing'over the core pieces tends to drain to the elements in preference to forming liquid droplets. To reduce thetendency toward dripping, the bottom of the core piece 25'should not extend below the bottom of the meniscus formed by the liquid' between the surface of the core piece and the surface of any of the elements I 6 adjacent thereto. For that purpose, the elements IB of a group, in the construction of Figs. 11 and 12, begin to diverge from` the corresponding core piece, 25 as near to its lower edge as possible.

Inthis form, the core piece 25 is substantially of. the same length as the straight turn sections l1 of the elements I6 grouped around it, and is disposed in horizontal registry with the turn sections, so that the ends of the core piece are substantially coextensive with the ends of the turn sections. To further assure against dripping of the liquid from the core pieces 25, the bottom thereof is made concave by a depression 21.

In the form of the inventionshown in Fig. 13, the straight turn sections Ila of the elements ISa are made substantially longer than the core pieces 25a, and the bottom of each core piece is made to extend a substantial distance above the horizontal plane where the encompassing elements lSa begin to diverge downwardly away from juncture. In this manner, the tendency toward dripping of the liquid from the bottom of the core piece is reduced. The bottom of the core piece 25a may be flat as shown, or it may be concave as in the construction of Fig. 12.

In the forms of the invention shown in Figs. ll, 12 and 13, since the elements i6 or 16a are identical in size, shape, material and nish, and are located symmetrically about the core pieces 25 or 25a, the area of contact between any element and a core piece at a liquid mixing zone is substantially the same as the area of Contact between any other element and the core piece at said zone, and the area of contact between the elements inone group and their corresponding core pieces is the same as the area of contact between the elements of any other group and their corresponding core pieces. The elements l or 15a of each group all begin to diverge from the same horizontal planes above and belo-w their mixing zones, and make equal angles with a vertical axis constituting the center of the zone and of the group. By means of this symmetrical arrangement, a uniform mixing and distribut'ion of the liquid throughout the flow area of the packing is obtained, as described in connection with the constructions of Figs. 1 to 10. Although in the forms shown in Figs. 11 to '13 the elements I6 or la are indicated as being arranged in groups of three, any number of these elements may be provided in each group symmetrically arranged, as already described.

The packing herein described is applicable to gas and liquid contacting devices, such as bubible towers, scrubbers, cooling towers, fractionating towers and the like, but it is not intended that the packing should be limited to equipment of this type. It is also contemplated that the packing itself may be used as a catalyst. Under these conditions, the packing itself may, for example, be made of nickel, copper or any of the solid materials having the required catalytic properites. For that purpose, the catalytic packing may serve to increase the rate of reaction by contact with a gas, or by contact with a liquid.

As another example of the use of the packing of the invention, it may serve as a catalyst carrier, the catalyst, for example, being formed into beads which are threaded on the elements defining the packing. Also, if desired, the surface of the packing elements may be subjected to special treatment to form a layer of catalytic material thereon. As a further example of the use to which the packing may be put, it may serve as a carrier of a catalyst which takes the form of a liquid, and particularly a high viscous liquid such as phosphoric acid.

Inasmuch as each element has portions which extend in a downwardly inclined direction from the inner `wall of the tower l0, liquid which reaches the wall by way of some of the elements will flow awayfrom the wall by other elements and thus will tend to retain the liquid in the packing and prevent short circuiting flow down the wall of the tower.

The velocity of the vapor flowing upwardly through the packing will cause or tend to cause the -liquidonthe vertically inclined portions of the elements to assume a streamlined or tear drop shape such as would present the minimum resistance to the iiowof vapors and this, together with the surface eiects `which become pronounced with thin lms of liquid, will have the eiTect of distributing the liquid over the surfaces of the elements with a tendency for a major part of the liquid to'ow down the upper parts of the elements, the amount of liquid so flowing increasing with increased vapor velocity. The eiect of this is to insure the maximum exposure of the liquid to the vapor and to facilitate the mixing of the streams of liquid at the juncture points.

As many changes can be made in the apparatus herein disclosed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the principles of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in 4this description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A tower packing comprising a series of similar zig-zag slender elements extending generally vertically and regularly arranged in accordance with a predetermined repeat pattern, and a series of core pieces, said elements being joined at their turns in regular groups around said core pieces to form liquid mixing zones at their junctures, element sections diverging generally upwardly and downwardly in opposite directions from each juncture.

2. A tower packing comprising a series of similar zig-zag slender elements of cylindrical stock, extending generally vertically and regularly arranged in accordance with a predetermined repeat pattern, and a series of lcylindrical core pieces, said elements being joined at their turns in regularvgroups of at least three around said core pieces to form liquid mixing zones at their junctures, element sections diverging generally upwardly and downwardly in different respective tplanes and in opposite directions from each juncure.

3. A tower packing comprising a series of similar slender elements extending generally vertically and regularly arranged in accordance with a predetermined repeat pattern, each of said elements being zig-zagged, and having a series of alternate substantially straight turn sections interconnected by oblique sections, said elements being joined together in groups of at least three at their turn sections to form liquid mixing zones at their junctures, the turn sections of each group of elements extending substantially parallel at their corresponding juncture, the oblique section of each group diverging generally upwardly and downwardly in opposite directions from each juncture.

4. A tower packing comprising a series of similar slender elements extending generally vertically and regularly arranged in accordance with a predetermined repeat pattern, each of said elements being zig-zagged, and having a series of a1- ternate substantially straight turn sections interconnectedby obliqueise'ctions, and a seriesV of straight core -piecesg-saidelernents being joined together in groups at their-turn sections around saidV core pieces to form liquid mixing; zories'-atv theirl junctures, the-turn sections ofeach group extending substantially parallelaround acore piece at their correspondin'gjuncture, sections of said elements di-Verging generally upwardly and downwardly in opposite directions from.-V each juncture,r the lower endpff-"each core piece in a. group extending` asubstantial' distancen above the horizontal plane wlierelthe element sections insaid'latter group begin to diverge-downwardly at a juncture.

5 l A-towerl packing comprising aser-ies `ofsiniilar slender elements 'extendinggenerally verticallyand-vregularly arrangedin accordance-with a predetermined 'repeatlpatterngfeachofsaid-ele"4 ment'sbeing zig-zagged and-having a-series ofalternate substantially straight' turn'4 sz'vctionsA in-A terconnected byoblique-sections, and la series! off straightcorepieces,A said elements beinglljoined together. in groups=ofat least three at'their turn sections. aroundv saidi core L pieces to'fdrni liquid mixing zones at their junctures; theturn sectionsAv t ofi each grounextending substantiallyA parallel arounda corepiece at their lcorresponding juncture; Vthe oblique sectionsin-eachgroup diverging generally upwardly land downwardly in opposite directions 4from eac-li juncture, tlielower -end- .u

of each core piece in a grupbeing; concave -to minimize dripping of the lidiiidfromlsaid latter core-piece.

6.- Vapor and lliquidfcontacting apparatuspacking comprising a network ofl slender,` generally vertically extending elementsarrangedA in groups ofi at`- least threein accordance with apredeter'- mined-pattern the-elements of each group being disposedin diirent vertical-planes; eacli'of' saidelements being of zig-Zagfshape-andlhavingalternately arranged 'apical f tum sectionsinterconnected by oblique sections, tli'eelementsof eachgroup .being joined together' at their-iturns'ections tolforin liquid-mixingrzoneslat theirljunctures.

'Ii Vaponandrliquid contactiiigapparatuspack; ingY comprising^ aY network offslenderg generally-- vertically; extending elementsl arranged-ingroups'- of? at Vleast three in accordance with aprs'edeter'-l minedlpattern; the elements of eaclfi-grou'pbeingl disposed' in diiere'nt vertical-planes; eachofsaid elements being; of`l zig-zagv shapeland havin-g al-A ternately.` arranged .stra-ight` apical turn sectionsV of: equal length. interconnectedi by obliquesecitions, the elements of each group being joined'to-- gether. at .their .turn;sections;to Aformliduidtmixing zones attheir junctures;

8.- Va-por; and liquidi contactinge apparatus-l packing comprising. a network' of slender, gen-'- erally vertically extending.l elements 1 arranged l in groups of vat least threeinacordance-with a2 pres determined pattern, the elementsI of eachgroi-Ip bei-ng disposed in di-ierentf vertic'alpla-nes;` each' of said elementsbeingofaigezag shape and -hav ing'alternately arranged'straightl apical'turn'sec-'- tions of equal length interconnected'fbyoblique sections ofv equal length which obliquesections are equiangularwith respect to'said turn sections; the elements of eachgroup beingV joined together at their turn sections-@to form liquid -mixingzones at their junctures.

9; Vapor and liquid contacting apparatuspacke ing comprising a= network-of`l slender; generally vertically extending elements-arranged'in groups of three in accordance Awith a predeterminerpat;v

y tern, the elements ofi-each groupqbeingidisposed in different Vertical planes approximately 120 apart; each of saidr elements being-cfzig-zagshape and having alternately arranged apical turn sections interconnected byoblique sections," the elements of -eachlgroup being joined-together at their turn sections to form liquid mixingjzonesi at their junctures.

10. Vapor and liquid contacting apparatus packing comprising ay network of` slender; generally vertically extending elements arrangedin groups of four in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the elements of each group being disposed in quadrantly' related vertical planes, each of Said elements'being of Zig-zag shape and' having Valternately arranged apical turn'sections' interconnected by oblique sections, the elements of each group being joined together yat their turn sections to form liquid mixing. zones at their junctures.

11. Vapor andv liquid contacting apparatus. packing-comprising` a Anetwork 'of slender, generally vertically extendingk elements arranged inv groups of Six with the elements of each group disposed in respective vertical planes' approximately 60 apart, each of said elements ,being of. zig-zag shape and having alternately arranged.' apicalturn sections interconnected by oblique. sections, the elements of each group being joined together at their turn sections to formv liquid? mixing zones at their junctures;

12. Liquid and vapor' contacting apparatusv comprising a column and a packing therefor, saidv packing comprising a series of slender, vertically extending elements arranged in groups of atleast 50 three and interconnected to-formfa network of;

substantially bipyramidal open cells followinga predetermined repeat pattern, each .of said` eleE ments being of zig-Zag shape and having-alter; nately arranged apical turn sections intercon- 55 n'ected` by obliquesections; the elements' of eaclr 

